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Biden Tells Pasco Rally He's 'Tired Of Blue, Red'

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By BILLY HOUSE

bhouse@tampatrib.com

Published: October 28, 2008

Updated: 10/28/2008 12:56 am

NEW PORT RICHEY - Striking into the heart of Tampa Bay area Republican territory, Joe Biden told a rally here Monday night that Barack Obama is the presidential candidate who can best "unite the country."

"I'm tired of blue and red," said the Democratic vice presidential nominee and senator from Delaware, urging the crowd to work hard over the next week to get Obama elected.

"America has a purple heart!"

In contrast, Biden cast Republican John McCain and running mate Sarah Palin as "defenders of the status quo," and "always trying to tear down those who would change our nation for the better."

Accompanied to New Port Richey by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the eleventh-hour timing of Biden's visit came as most polls showed the presidential race in Florida on a trajectory toward another close finish next Tuesday.

The appearance before an estimated 3,150 people was also noteworthy for its location.

The rally was held in the city's downtown Sims Park where a bronze plaque commemorates a campaign visit by President George W. Bush during the final two weeks of his successful 2004 presidential campaign.

So significant was that 2004 event to some local Republican activists that they pushed to have Bush's visit mentioned in brochures distributed by the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce and other groups as a way to boost tourism.

But now, four years later, Biden's rally at the same park in the final days of this campaign was evidence the Democratic ticket headed by Barack Obama is sticking to its early promise to fight for every Florida vote, including in Republican strongholds.

And it's not just here.

The Obama-Biden campaign has been deluging Florida markets with a wave of television advertising.

Even if the Obama team is not expecting to carry these areas, the strategy comes as polls show the race remains ultra-close. That has forced the McCain team to focus its limited time and resources in the state that many analysts say he - not Obama - must win to gain the White House.

A poll released Monday by Zogby International showed Obama at 47.2 percent and McCain at 46.9 percent in Florida, making the race a statistical tie.

"The idea is not to leave anyone, anywhere out," said Adora Andy, an Obama regional campaign spokeswoman, of Biden's incursion Monday into New Port Richey.

Nelson said to the crowd: "It is true that Barack doesn't have to win Florida under the conventional wisdom" to win the presidency.

But if Obama and Biden do win Florida, he said, so goes the rest of the nation.

In his speech, Biden went on to tell the crowd that he and Obama would work "to restore the middle class, and regain America's respect in the world.

"We will end this war. And we will end it responsibly," he said.

He also said an Obama administration would cut taxes for working people, put a three-month moratorium on all housing foreclosures, and make health care affordable for all Americans.

Pasco County Republican Chairman Bill Bunting said he wasn't particularly worried by Biden's visit to his county, which Bush carried in 2004 with 54.6 percent of the vote.

"If Obama were doing so well here, he wouldn't need to send Biden to try to create some enthusiasm," Bunting said. "Evidently, they can't find anyone local to do so."

After all, he said, no Democrats can be found among the county's three state senators, five state House members and two members of Congress.

But the mayor of New Port Richey is neither Republican nor Democrat. And at the start of the rally, Scott McPherson announced he endorses Obama.

"Stakes are too high to obsess whether there is a capital 'R' or a capital 'D' in the White House," McPherson told the crowd.

"I am supporting Barack Obama and Joe Biden to be the next president and vice president of the United States," he said.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at (202) 641-5080.

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